2024 Spring High School Photography Contest & Exhibition

Open to High School Students in the continental United States.

The contest is free and open to students attending high school in the continental United States, and currently in grades 9-12 at the time of the contest. Proof of your eligibility will be required.

 The Preliminary Judging Works Like This

 1.    Digital Entries are welcome from qualifying high school students between October 15th and December 15th at 11:55 pm Mountain Time.

2.    Judging will take place at the beginning of January.

3.    The Top-20 images will receive honorable mention and be featured in a YouTube video production.

4.    From the Top-20 images, 10 photo entries will be selected to be printed, framed, and included in the exhibition.  These 10 images will be announced at the opening of the exhibit on February 6th, 2024.

5    One image in the exhibition will be eligible for the First Place $75 prize.

 There is a limit of 3 digital image entries per student this year. Photographic images must be original and will be judged by a panel of professionals on technical quality as well as creativity. Images may be captured using film or digital cameras. All entries must be submitted electronically by email. No prints will be accepted for the high school section of the contest.

Categories Photographic entries must fall into one of the following categories:

  • People

  • Nature

  • Sports

  • Human Interest

  • Commercial—food or product

 You must designate which category your photo should be entered in to qualify for awards.

How to submit your images

To qualify for awards, all images must conform to the following:

  1. Cropped to 10 inches on the longest length of image, at 300 ppi. (Smaller will be disqualified)

  2. Save your files with the following format:LastnameFirstname_title of the photo

    Example GarceauChristine_BighornMountain

  3. If more than one image is Untitled, name them Untitled_1, Untitled_2, Untitled_3, etc.

  4. Send no more than 3 digital files that have been prepared as indicated in the instructions listed above to Northwest.photo@gmail.com

  5. In the subject line of your email write: HS PHOTO CONTEST and YOUR NAME.

  6. In the text body of your email, you need to provide the following so we can send awards and certificates or contact you if we have questions regarding your entry:

    a.     Your first and last name

    b.     Mailing address

    c.     Phone number

    d.     Email address

    e. Include the name of your high school.

    f. Include the name of your teacher or yearbook advisor

  7. Attach (do not drop and drag) your files to the email—be sure you have named each image as indicated above. Do not insert your images into the email text.

Gallery Exhibition at the SinClair Gallery on NWC campus February 6 - March 22, 2024.

Prizes

Students

  • 1st Place – Photo product from Robert’s Camera

  • 2nd Place – Photo product from Robert’s Camera

  • 3rd Place – Photo product from Robert’s Camera

Teachers of winning students will also be awarded photo related prizes for use in their classroom from Roberts Camera.

Copyright Information

By entering this contest, you give permission to the Photographic Communications program at Northwest College to print your images for display as well as publish them in the local newspapers, the Northwest College website and the Photographic Communication Facebook page.

Additionally, when possible, entrants should obtain permission and a copyright release from any individual identifiable in entry photographs. Individuals featured in photos have the right to know their images may be published on social media websites.

*If your images contain any material or elements that are not owned by you, and are subject to copyrights of third parties, the entrant is responsible for obtaining any and all releases and consents necessary to permit exhibition and use of the photograph as described above. (These might include paintings, sculptures or other works of art made by someone other than the photographer submitting the images).

Opening Reception & Awards - Tuesday February 6, 2023

7:00-8:30 pm in the SinClair Gallery in Orendorff building on Northwest College

annual photo contest logo

2nd Annual Amateur & Professional Photo Contest & Exhibition

Adult Amateur Photographers

Entry fee - $15 each for up to 3 images. 

Open to all non-professional amateur photographers living in the continental United States. Including college students, teachers, and photo enthusiasts. Entrants are limited to three entries in this category. Photographs previously published cannot be entered in this category.

Professional Photographers

Entry Fee $20 each for up to 3 images. 

Photographers earning income from their photographs are considered professional and must enter in this category. Photographs previously published cannot be entered in this category. There is a limit of three photographic images in this category. All images must meet the requirements as described for the professional division.

Part 1: Digital Submission Guidelines

Entering images in this part of the process is free. Entry fees will be collected for the number of images selected for the contest and exhibition.

  1. You may enter up to 5 digital images. Entrants will receive notification on which images have been selected for inclusion in the contest no later than January 15, 2024.

  2. Email your digital images for consideration with the following size and naming requirements by January 10, 2024 by 5:00 pm Mountain Standard Time to northwest.photo@gmail.com.

  3. Digital files requirements JPEG image only Longest end no more than 7 inches 300 ppi

  4. Rename your files Last name, first initial of first name_title

    Example: SmithJ_Bision

  5. Attach your images individually to the email. Do not insert into the text of your message.

  6. In the Email Subject Line of your email write “Last Name -2nd Annual NWC Community Photo Contest”

  7. In the text of your email message, indicate if you are entering in the armature or professional category. You will be required to pay the appropriate entry fee when you drop off your selected images. Photographs can only be entered in one division. (You cannot enter one photo in amateur and another in professional category.

Part 2: Printing and Framing Requirements 

  • Black metal or wood frames only (Plastic frames will not be accepted)

  • Must be ready to hang

  • White mats only

  • Frame sizes – one of these two sizes to fit gallery hanging requirements.

    • 16 x 20

    • 20 x 24

  • The photographer’s name, division and category for entry, and sale price, should be marked on the back of the entry. There will be informational sheets to fill out when you drop off your photos. No commission is taken for any image sold. 

Part 3: How to deliver framed selected images

Photographers in the Amateur and Professional categories are responsible for the delivery and pickup of their entries. If you ship your entries, you must include a pre-paid return shipping label including insurance. 

  • Shipped photos must be received by Friday January 26, 2024. Photos need to be shipped to o NWC Photo Contest, 231 West Sixth Street, Fagerberg Building, Powell, Wyoming 82435. Call or email Christine Garceau for shipping questions. christine.garceau@nwc.edu, or (307) 754-6497. 

  • Drop off matted and framed photographs at the Fagerberg building on the Northwest College campus, Room 42 between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm during the week of January 22-26, 2024.

  • Upon delivery of your entries, make your check out to Northwest College Photo Contest 

  • Fill out gallery information form (link to form below) and leave it with your photographs.  

  • Entries must be picked up between March 25 – 29, 2024 from the Photographic Communications program, Fagerberg Building at Northwest College Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 pm following the end of the exhibition. Call the SinClair gallery manager Jayne Johnson make other arrangements. (307)-754-6183.

  • Any photographs not picked up by the end of the semester will not be available until Fall semester of 2024. 

Digital Submissions are due January 10, 2024 by 5:00 pm mountain standard time.

Juror: Mark Davis from Powell Tribune

Cosponsored by Robert’s Camera of Indianapolis

Prizes

Adult Amateur Photographers

  • 1st Place – $100

  • 2nd Place – $50

  • 3rd Place – $25

Professional Photographers

  • 1st Place – $150

  • 2nd Place – $50

  • 3rd Place – $25

Copyright Information

By entering this contest, you give permission to the Photographic Communications program at Northwest College to print your images for display as well as publish them in the local newspapers, the Northwest College website and the Photographic Communication Facebook page.

Additionally, when possible, entrants should obtain permission and a copyright release from any individual identifiable in entry photographs. Individuals featured in photos have the right to know their images may be published on social media websites.

*If your images contain any material or elements that are not owned by you, and are subject to copyrights of third parties, the entrant is responsible for obtaining any and all releases and consents necessary to permit exhibition and use of the photograph as described above. (These might include paintings, sculptures or other works of art made by someone other than the photographer submitting the images).

Opening Reception & Awards - Tuesday February 6, 2024

7:00-8:30 pm in the SinClair Gallery in Orendorff building on Northwest College

2022-2023 High School Photo Contest Winners

First Place - Generations by Olivia Dewey, Capital High School, Helena, Montana

Second Place - American Welder by Raelynn Staley, Capital High School, Helena, Montana

Third Place - Racking to the Finish Line by Bailey Ready, Adrian High School, Nayssa, Oregon

Honorable Mention - On Earth as It is in Heaven by by Daniel Shi, Cranbrook Kingswood School, Bloomfield Hill, Michigan

Top Ten Finalists

  • Sweets and Sass by Emma Allred, Capital High School, Helena, Montana

  • Solitude by Amanda Campos, Skyview High School, Nampa, Idaho

  • Bokeh by J. D. Reighard, Capital High School, Helena, Montana

  • Soccer Game by Anamarie Screnock, Bozeman High School, Bozeman, Montana

  • Girl Dance with Mom by Daniel Shi, Cranbrook Kingswood School, Bloomfield Hill, Michigan

  • Autumn Morning Mist by Emma Coleman, Eisenhower High School, Yakima, Washington

Top Twenty Semifinalist

  • Down the Field by Katie Newett, Greenwood Community Hight School, Greenwood, Indiana.

  • Blue Clock Town by Eduardo Mendoza Macias, Eisenhower High School, Yakima, Washington

  • Cub Pride by Gillian Childs, Brenham High School, Brenham, Texas

Top Twenty Semifinalist Continued

  • Lap to Victory by Sara Diaz, High Point Regional High School, Sussex, New Jersey

  • Kayak Bliss by Josiah Boston, Amsterdam High School, Amsterdam, New York.

  • Swing by Richard Borden, Springfield Clark CTC, Springfield, Ohio

  • The Oculus by Matthew Silvonen, Capital High School, Helena, Montana

  • Fall Forest by Emma Coleman, Eisenhower High School, Yakima, Washington

  • Flower Power by Emma Righetti, Capital High School, Helena, Montana

  • Cozy Fluff 2 by Chloe Alleman, Capital High School, Helena, Montana

  • Santa’s Cookies by Audrey Schmidt, Brenham High School, Brenham, Texas

  • Cooper’s Gaze by Morgan Hatling, Capital High School, Helena, Montana

  • Savage Advertisement by Noah Blackwell, Springfield Clark CTC, Springfield, Ohio

  • Female Buffalo by Amanda Price, Bozeman High School, Bozeman, Montana

  • Pupil by Nate Pailthorpe, Bozeman High School, Bozeman, Montana

  • Mirror Portal by Elania Teninty, Mountain View High School, Boise, Idaho.

2020-2021 Quick Fire High School Contest Winners

First Place - “The Veins of Yellowstone” by Sydney Bird, Capital High School, Helena, Montana

Second Place - “Flip” by Zoe Jackson, Bozeman High School, Bozeman, Montana

Third Place - “Desert Wanderer” by Benton Lehman, Capital High School, Helena, Montana

Top Twenty Selects

  • “Hands of Time” by Jaida Green, Capital High, Helena, Montana,

  • “A Spoon Full of Sugar” by Aubrey Neidich, Bozeman High School, Bozeman, Montana

  • “Through the Green” by Tamryn Blom, Natrona County High School, Casper, Wyoming

  • “Frozen in Time” by Jaida Green, Capital High School, Helena, Montana

  • “Untitled” by Breanna DeMars, Capital High School, Helena, Montana

  • “Broken” by Carson DesRosier, Capital High School, Helena, Montana

  • “A Tribute To Beth Harmon” by Sienna Geddes, Bozeman High School, Bozeman, Montana

  •   “Aubade” by Sienna Geddes, Bozeman High School, Bozeman Montana

Top Twenty Selects Continued

  • “Crying Color” by Zoe Jackson, Bozeman High School

  • “Flying Machine” by Benton Lehman, Capital High School, Helena, Montana

  • “Floral Mind” by Aleksandra (Shasha) Shkurigin, Capital High School, Helena, Montana

  • “White Flower” by Logan Smith, Natrona County High School, Casper, Wyoming

  • “Blow Through Negativity” by Andrew Williams, Capital High School, Helena, Montana

  • “Champion” by Yasmine Vega, Natrona County High School, Casper, Wyoming

  • “Do Not Enter” by Mason Wendland, Natrona County High School, Casper, Wyoming

  • “Cake Drizzle” by Sydney Bird, Capital High School, Helena, Montana, Genevieve Anderson

  • “Walking Into the Future” by Andrew Williams, Capital High School, Helena, Montana

  • “Swagger” by Harlee Tille, Natrona County High School, Casper, Wyoming

  • “Mountain Madness” by Kaydynce Chinen, Capital High School, Helena, Montan'a

  • “Untitled” by Luke Dowdy, Capital High School, Helena, Montana

2019-2020 High School Contest Winners

First Place - “Halo” by Ethan Peters, Flagstaff High School, Flagstaff, Arizona

Second Place - “Drippin” by Constance Clark, Columbia High School, Nampa, Idaho

Third Place - “A Silent Tores Del Pines” by Avishek Ghosh, Pondarosa High School, Parker, Arizona

Top Twenty Selects

  • “Rolling Neon” by Amariyah, Highwood Capital High School, Helena Montana

  • “A Spoon Full of Sugar” by Aubrey Neidich, Bozeman High School, Bozeman, Montana

  • “The Building to Heaven” by Carter Weber, Capital High School, Helena Montana

  • “Colett” by Constance Clark, Columbia High School, Nampa, Idaho

  • “Untitled” by Hazel Roulson, Bozeman High School, Bozeman, Montana

  • “Wiser Physique” by Joe Weidinger, Flagstaff High School, Flagstaff, Arizona

  • “Tire Swing” by Joshua Cornelius, Flagstaff High School, Flagstaff, Arizona

Top Twenty Selects Continued

  • “Ruin” by Kendra Armstrong, Flagstaff High School, Flagstaff, Arizona

  • “Ghost Riders” by Lauryn Feist, Capital High School, Helena Montana

  • “Cityscape” by Marc Martinze, Guam High School, Guam

  • “Fishers” by Phuong Nguyen, Helena High School, Helena, Montana

  • “Autumn” by Rylie Bolen, Mountain View High School, Meridian, Idaho

  • “Books of Shadows” by Jhovan Limones-Aviles, Flagstaff High School, Flagstaff, Arizona

  • “Duality” by Tom Rath, Bozeman High School, Bozeman, Montana

  • “Mountains” by Tyler Jordan, Timberline High School, Boise, Idaho

  • “Eyeglass” by Tyler McFarland, Timberline High School, Boise, Idaho

2018-2019 Contest Winners

First Place: “Diana” by Guillermo Granados, Gresham High School, Portland, Oregon

Second Place: “Flatlay” by Aubrey Johnson, Bozeman High School, Bozeman, Montana

Third Place: “The Exotic Shorthair” by Delaney Ormsby, Bozeman High School, Bozeman, Montana 

Top Twenty Selects

  • “Portrait” by Lydia Fife, Capital High School, Helena, MT

  • “Marta” by Claudia Turella, Capital High School, Helena, MT

  • “Father” by Lillan Gillstrom, Bozeman High School, Bozeman, MT

  • “Portrait” by Shaylynn Austin, Laurel High School, Laurel, MT

  • “The Thinker” by Nathania Au, Palo Alto Senior High School, Palo Alto, CA

  • “Shadows” by Aubrey Johnson, Boseman High School, Boseman, MT

  • “Spark of Light” by Tyler McFarland, Timberline High School, Boise, ID

  • “T-20” by Arthur Koster, Boseman High School, Boseman, MT

  • “Young Cello” by Danielle Abaya, Timberline High School, Boise, ID

  • “Dive” by Richard McAllister, Timberline High School, Boise, ID

Top Twenty Selects Continued

  • “Race Day” by Cheyenne Hume, Cody High School, Cody, WY 

  • “Christmas Future” by Kathaleen Croffut, Eisenhower High School, Yakima, WA

  • “Alaska” by Kylie Hanson, Capital High School, Helena, MT

  • “Eagle” by John Russell, Bozeman High School, Bozeman, MT

  • “Lonely Juniper” by Benton Lehman, Capital High School, Helena, MT 

  • “Geometric Green” by Kendall Rath, Capital High School, Helena, MT

  • “Free Solo” by David Gordon, Journeys School, Jackson, WY

2017-2018 Contest Winners

First Place: “Emilie Bratlien” by Wade Bratlien, Capital High School, Helena, Montana

Second Place: “Flag” by Clara McRae, Capital High School, Helena, Montana

Third Place: “Homestead ” by Hayden Tillinger, Capital High School, Helena, Montana

Top Twenty Selects

  • “Butterfly“ by Shanon Murray, Capital High School, Helena, Montana

  • “ Prairie Grasses “ by Willa McArdle, Capital High School, Helena, Montana

  • “Elk“ by Rye Lee Van Diest, Capital High School, Helena, Montana

  • “Maija“ by Anna Kerins, Capital High School, Helena, Montana

  • “Football“ by Kendall Isaacson, Capital High School, Helena, Montana

  • “Fall“ by Mickenzi Purdom, Capital High School, Helena, Montana

  • “Leaves“ by Sloane Chapman, Capital High School, Helena, Montana

  • “Bold Colors“ by Willa McArdle, Capital High School, Helena, Montana

  • “Hole in the Wall“ by Reese Blossom, Capital High School, Helena, Montana

  • “Galaxies in Your Mind“ by Rebekkah Hayes, Capital High School, Helena, Montana

Top Twenty Selects Continued:

  • “Band“ by Shiloh Corcoran, Capital High School, Helena, Montana

  • “Montana Woman“ by Seely Hoffman, Capital High School, Helena, Montana

  • “Our Broken World“ by Kendall Smith, Capital High School, Helena, Montana

  • “Crowd“ by Clara McRae, Capital High School, Helena, Montana

  • “Lunch Break” by Jazmyne Collingwood, Graybull High School, Graybull, Wyoming

  • “Strings“ by Kendall Isaacson, Capital High School, Helena, Montana

  • “Portrait” by Clara McRae, Capital High School, Helena, Montana